Sanitizing after infection

[caliclucker]

My flock is starting to dwindle. I've lost two hens and another is starting to cough. I'm guessing bronchitis or similar. I've noticed watery whites in the eggs and my sisters flock 1/2 mile down the road was also infected. I'm thinking that's where my chickens got it (when my sister visited).

What I want to know is if it is possible to start over and sanitize to prevent future flocks from getting infected. My chickens free range on 1/2 an acre. Would I have to let the ground "rest" for awhile between flocks? Does it ever go away? Am I doomed to future infected flocks? The thing that upsets me the most is the thought of losing my rooster. He is perfect and I went through about 5 roosters until I got him.

 

[Eggcessive]

You may well have IB or infectious bronchitis since you have noticed watery whites in the eggs, but I would suspect that you also may have another disease such as MG or coryza that has become a secondary infection. IB doesn't usually kill hens, but it may kill chicks an young ones. If I were you I would get one tested or necropsied by the state vet or Dept. of Agriculture just to see what it is. MG and most of the common diseases will only last for days, and common cleaning agents like bleach and oxine will kill the organisms. ILT on the other hand may last for 6 weeks. Then it is good to wait a few weeks to re-populate just to make sure. Here is a link to finding your state vet and some info on diseases: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/participants.shtml
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/78/infectious-bronchitis-ib
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
http://umaine.edu/livestock/poultry/mycoplasma-gallisepticum-faq/
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps034